Name: Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash, approximately 5lbs; 1 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil; 1 small onion, minced; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; 4 cups vegetable broth (or broth of your choice); 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; salt and pepper, to taste

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup is the absolute easiest way to make creamy Butternut Squash Soup! Everything is done in the Instant Pot for perfect results and simple clean up.

I've made butternut squash soup about once per week this fall and winter. I LOVE IT! Because I've made it so often, I've experimented with making butternut squash soup in a lot of ways! I really love the traditional oven roasting method because I think it brings out some awesome flavors and caramelizes the squash. But, it's time consuming!

Cue the Instant Pot! I've done quite a bit of experimenting with my Instant Pot here on Blackberry Babe. I don't use it for everything, but I love to use it when there is time (and dishes) to save, or for cooking frozen meats quickly! I think cooking butternut squash soup in the Instant Pot is a perfect use for this awesome appliance.

How to make Butternut Squash Soup in the Instant Pot

Cut your squash into quarters so that it will fit in the Instant Pot.
Place a cup of water in the Instant Pot and place the wire trivet over the top of the water.
Set the squash on the trivet, trying to avoid touching the squash to the metal pot
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and select Manual setting for 7 minutes. Allow to natural release.
Carefully remove the squash and empty out water. Place the metal pot insert back into the Instant Pot.
Place the oil in the Instant Pot and press the Saute button.
Add the onion and saute for two minutes. Add the garlic for 30 seconds, stirring frequently so that it does not burn.
Turn off the saute setting and add in all other ingredients, including the scooped out flesh of the squash (discard seeds).
Secure the lid and select the stew/stoup setting for 10 minutes. Allow to natural release.

Toppings for Butternut Squash Soup

I typically eat my butternut squash soup plain. But, the rich color of the soup is so vibrant, it looks extra beautiful with some garnish! Here are some good toppings for your butternut squash soup:

A dash of heavy cream
A sprig of fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme are my favorites)
A colorful sprinkle of spices (paprika, cayenne and cinnamon are excellent choices)
A sprinkle of pepitas seeds

Butternut Squash Soup Variations

I typically use just butternut squash for this soup, but occasionally I will add a few things to spice it up! Here are a few ideas of ingredients to add to your butternut squash soup!

Apple Butternut Squash Soup: 1 apple (peeled and cored). Cook with squash.
Spicy Butternut Squash Soup: A few dashes of hot sauce. Add with broth.
Pear Butternut Squash Soup: 1 pear (peeled and cored). Cook with squash.
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup: Substitute a portion ( up to 1 cup) of the broth for coconut milk for a super creamy and fragrant soup.
Fresh Herb Butternut Squash Soup: Add fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Add with garlic to allow it to infuse the oil.

Yield: 8